Press release from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce:
Asheville Chamber launches Business Recovery Workspace alongside Business Recovery Center and Mountain Strong Fund
Starting Wed. Oct. 16th, Business Recovery Workspace will be available at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce from 9 am to 5 pm weekdays for business owners, nonprofit organizations and employees displaced due to Helene. Workspace is offered at no cost for all area businesses on a daily first-come, first-served basis and can accommodate up to 70 users.
The Business Recovery Workspace (sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne University) complements the Business Recovery Center which provides resources for business recovery and the Chamber’s Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery.
Businesses are foundational to WNC communities by employing people, providing goods and services, and acting as the economic backbone. Western North Carolina relies on a network of businesses and industry to fuel the local economy – from manufacturing and technology, to retail and hospitality, and everything in-between.
“These businesses are essential to the region’s recovery,” said Kit Cramer, President & CEO of the Asheville Chamber. “They need both informational and financial support now in order to move forward. Here at the Asheville Chamber, we’ve launched the Business Recovery Center with temporary workspaces and the Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery to help support WNC businesses as they recover.”
About the Business Recovery Center
Located at the Asheville Chamber, 36 Montford Ave. in downtown Asheville, the Business Recovery Center brings together a variety of partners to provide free on-site assistance for businesses impacted by Helene along with business recovery workspace. Open to all businesses (Chamber members and nonmembers).
Business Recovery Workspace:
First-come, first-served temporary workspace available at no cost for business owners, nonprofit organizations and employees displaced due to Helene. Internet access provided. Bring your own laptop.
Open Oct. 16-Dec. 30, Mon-Fri, 9 am to 5 pm. Space for up to 70 users.
Those wishing to work from the Business Recovery Workspace will be asked to complete intake paperwork and to sign in and out each day as well as following “house rules” for maintaining a comfortable, clean and respectful environment for all users. More details available at www.ashevillechamber.org/mountainstrong
Free Recovery Resources: Partners on site provide one-on-one support for businesses of all sizes.
Partners include:
- SBA Disaster Assistance: Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to help businesses apply for low or zero-interest disaster recovery loans.
o Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 6PM; Saturday, 9 AM – 3 PM; Closed Sunday.
- Mountain BizWorks: Offering financial coaching, loans, and other resources tailored for small businesses.
- Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC): Providing expert advice and technical support for business recovery planning.
o Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 1 PM.
- Western Women’s Business Center: Offers support on a range of business topics in Spanish and English for small businesses. We are a program of Carolina Small Business Development Fund, a statewide nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to foster economic development in North Carolina. The Western Women’s Business Center is partly funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
o Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am -2pm
- Colton Groome Financial – Assisting with disaster-related retirement plan questions, including contribution changes, eligibility for hardship distributions, and other retirement plan concerns.
o Wednesday 10/9 & Thursday 10/10- 9 AM – 4 PM
o Week of 10/14: Tue – Thur – tentative hours of 9 AM – 4 PM
o Week of 10/21: Tue – Thur – tentative hours of 9 AM – 4 PM
o Week of 10/28: Tue – Thur – tentative hours of 9 AM – 4 PM
- Asheville Chamber Staff: On-site to connect you with other resources and ensure you get the help you need. Apply for recovery grants through the Mountain Strong Business Recovery Fund once the application is available.
o Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM
For updates, visit www.ashevillechamber.org/mountainstrong
About the Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery
The Asheville Chamber is seeking individual and corporate donations from across the country as well as foundation grants for the Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery.
“While low and no interest loans are available, we see a gap in grants – direct funding distributed to businesses so that they can begin to rebuild,” Cramer said. “The Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery seeks to provide grants to local businesses.”
The Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery is managed by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Community Betterment Foundation (EIN: 56-1762978). The Community Betterment Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax deductible. The application process is currently being developed and will be announced at a later date.
To learn more or donate, visit www.ashevillechamber.org/mountainstrong
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